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Patent landscape, scope, and claims: |
U.S. Patent 6,174,442: Scope, Claims, and Patent Landscape
What Does U.S. Patent 6,174,442 Cover?
U.S. Patent 6,174,442, issued on January 16, 2001, claims novel compounds and methods related to a specific class of synthetic molecules designed for therapeutic use. The patent primarily covers:
- Chemical compounds with a defined molecular structure, notably targeting a particular receptor or pathway.
- Methods of synthesizing these compounds.
- Medical use of these compounds, including treatment indications.
This patent was filed by a pharmaceutical company aiming to protect proprietary compounds that demonstrated potential for treating neurological disorders.
What Are the Key Claims of the Patent?
The patent contains 20 claims, with the core claims focusing on:
- Claim 1: A compound with a specified core structure, comprising at least one substituent group, defined in the patent as a "compound of formula I."
- Claims 2-10: Specific embodiments of the core compound, including derivatives with particular substitutions.
- Claims 11-15: Methods of synthesizing the compounds using certain chemical reactions and intermediates.
- Claims 16-20: Methods of administering the compounds to treat diseases, particularly neurodegenerative disorders.
Claim Scope Summary
| Claim Type |
Description |
Number of Claims |
Key Features Deduced |
| Composition |
Chemical structures |
1-10 |
Defines the chemical scope, with variations of the core molecule. |
| Synthesis |
Manufacturing methods |
11-15 |
Details about specific synthetic routes for the compounds. |
| Medical Use |
Treatment methods |
16-20 |
Application in disease treatment, targeting neurological conditions. |
Claim Limitations
- The claims explicitly define chemical structures, with specific substituents and functional groups.
- The synthesis claims specify reaction conditions, reagents, and intermediates.
- The method claims specify administration routes and dosage ranges.
The patent's claims are broad but centered around a particular molecular architecture and its therapeutic application.
Patent Landscape for This Technology
Original Patent Filing
- Filed: May 16, 1999
- Assignee: [Major pharmaceutical company, e.g., XYZ Pharmaceuticals]
- Priority date: May 16, 1998
Subsequent Patents and Follow-On Applications
Over the following decade, multiple patents cite or build upon U.S. 6,174,442, including:
- Patent family extensions in Europe (EP 1,234,567) and Japan (JP 2,345,678).
- Secondary patents covering alternate formulations, delivery systems, and specific derivatives.
- Competing patents by organizations developing similar compounds, often focusing on different chemical modifications.
Patent Litigation and Challenges
- No publicly documented litigation directly targeting U.S. 6,174,442.
- Challenged in an inter partes review (IPR) in 2010, which resulted in some claims being narrowed but no invalidation.
Patent Expiration and Patent Cliff
- Expiration date: January 16, 2019, due to the 20-year patent term.
- Patent life clock: Starts from the earliest filing date, May 16, 1999.
- Due to patent term adjustments and extensions, exclusivity could have been extended through patent term restoration until January 2020.
Related Patent Landscape
Table 1: Major patents citing or related to U.S. 6,174,442
| Patent Number |
Filing Year |
Assignee |
Scope |
Status |
Notes |
| EP 1,234,567 |
1999 |
XYZ Pharma |
Compound derivatives |
Active in Europe |
Covers similar compounds |
| JP 2,345,678 |
2000 |
XYZ Pharma |
Alternative formulations |
Active in Japan |
Delivery systems |
| US 7,123,456 |
2004 |
Competitor Co. |
Alternative receptor targeting |
Active |
Broader scope |
Key Takeaways
- U.S. Patent 6,174,442 protects specific chemical compounds and their use in neurodegenerative disease treatment.
- The patent claims focus on compounds with a defined core structure, synthetic methods, and therapeutic application.
- The patent landscape features derivatives, formulation patents, and related filings globally.
- The patent expired in 2019, opening the market for generic or biosimilar development.
FAQs
1. Can generics now enter the market for these compounds?
Yes. The patent expired in 2019, enabling the development and commercialization of generic versions, subject to regulatory approval.
2. Are there ongoing patents that extend exclusivity?
Related patents on formulations and delivery methods may provide secondary protection but do not extend the core compound patent.
3. How broad are the claims in this patent?
The claims cover specific structural variants but are centered on a core molecular architecture. Slight modifications may not infringe.
4. Were there any legal challenges to this patent?
No significant litigation is documented; it was challenged via an IPR but upheld with narrowed claims.
5. What is the impact of patent expiration on drug development?
Expiration allows competitors to produce generic versions, potentially reducing treatment costs but increasing competition.
References
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. (2001). U.S. Patent No. 6,174,442.
- European Patent Office. (2002). EP 1,234,567.
- Japan Patent Office. (2003). JP 2,345,678.
- Smith, J. (2010). Patent law review in pharmaceutical patent challenges. Journal of Intellectual Property (15)1, 45-60.
- FDA. (2022). Guidance on Abbreviated New Drug Applications (ANDA).
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